IT’S hard to show much excitement for the Challenge Cup, especially since it’s no longer served up with caramel wafers and bottles of Irn-Bru.
But there are still some tasty ties this weekend under its new moniker of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Celtic B v Morton
The most intriguing sees Celtic’s B team take on Championship side Morton, a match which will give the kids their biggest test so far this season.
The Old Firm colts have been battering some of their rivals since joining the Lowland League but this clash with Morton is a big step up in class.
Ton are 8/13 at SkyBet for a win while the young Celts are 19/5 shots at SBK and the draw at 90 minutes 10/3 with Bet365.
Going for goals could pay off with Morton conceding three in each of their last two league matches.
Unfortunately, the bookies haven’t shown this tournament much respect and the only bet I could find before going to print was over 2.5 goals which was just 13/20 at Bet365.
Two more Premiership sides have their B teams in action as Aberdeen host Arbroath and St Mirren travel to Albion Rovers.
Aberdeen B v Arbroath
Taking on a Dick Campbell side will be a rude awakening, quite literally, for the Dons kids. So you have to fancy the Championship side who are 2/5 for the win at Bet365.
It’s not great value but backing Campbell’s side to be winning at half-time and full-time pays 11/10 with the same firm.
Albion Rovers v St Mirren
The Buddies babes will also need to scrap in the spartan surroundings of Cliftonhill against Rovers. Albion sit bottom of League Two but are still 6/5 favourites at Betfair while St Mirren are available at 2/1 with McBookie.
I can see this being a tight game so under 2.5 goals stands a chance and that pays 20/21 at McBookie.
Kilmarnock v Falkirk
Championship title favourites Kilmarnock will be looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Caley Thistle when they take on Falkirk at home.
Tommy Wright will probably make a few changes as I doubt the Challenge Cup will be high on his list of priorities.
The Bairns also suffered a painful loss last weekend when they crashed at home to League One title rivals Queen’s Park.
That took the shine off what had been a promising start to the campaign for Paul Sheerin’s men.
They have the firepower to hurt Killie so I fancy goals and over 2.5 strikes pays 7/8 at Bet365.
The rest of the ties look pretty tough to call but I fancy a few goals in Montrose v Stirling and Raith v Forfar.
A double on over 2.5 goals in both games pays 223/100 with Bet365.
Super Singles
Deadly Double
- Over 2.5 goals at Montrose and Raith (223/100, Bet365).
McBookie Bet Builder
- COMBINING BTTS with over 2.5 goals and over 0.5 first-half goals in Stranraer v Partick pays 109/100
In December 2020 we sadly 
